The proponent is seeking renewal of planning
approval for the establishment of the Joanna Plains Peaker Project on Lot 3907
Brand Highway, Cataby.

BACKGROUND

At
its meeting on the 24 November 2011, Council granted conditional planning
approval to the Joanna Plains Peaker Project for a period of two (2) years. The
conditions of approval are as follows:

1.The proponents shall provide a Traffic Management Plan to Main Roads
Western Australia and the Shire of Dandaragan prior to the commencement of
construction. The Traffic Management Plan shall address;

·Transportation of materials to
the project site;

·Obtaining the necessary written
approvals / permits from Main Roads Western Australia Heavy Vehicle Operation
Branch; and

·The transport of all divisible
and indivisible loads and acquisition of necessary permits for transport of
these loads.

2. The proponents shall provide road signage to the specification and
satisfaction of Main Roads Western Australia;

3. Following the submission of the application for planning approval,
if the proponent proposed changes resulting in significant additional
environmental impact in the opinion of the Shire of Dandaragan, these changes
shall not be undertaken without prior consultation with the Shire of Dandaragan
and the Environmental Protection Authority Service Unit;

4. The proponents are required to obtain a clearing permit in
accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection (clearing of
native vegetation) Regulations 2004 in the case of any proposal to clear
existing remnant vegetation on the site to the satisfaction of the Department
of Environment and Conservation;

6. Prior to the
commencement of construction, the proponents shall commission third party noise
modelling studies to demonstrate the final design complies with the relevant
noise limits outlined in this approval;

7. The proponent shall ensure that no nesting birds of the endangered
species Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo are disturbed by any resulting works such as
realignment of fence lines through or near mature trees;

8. Decommissioning of the plant and equipment on the subject land will
commence within a period of 12 months from termination of operations and to be
completed within a time period to the satisfaction of the Shire of Dandaragan.
This will occur following submission by the proponent of a plan outlining the
process of decommissioning;

9. Planning consent is granted for a maximum period of two years from
the date of this approval during which time the development must be
substantially commenced;

10. The proponent is advised that planning approval is not a building
licence. A building licence must be formally applied for and obtained from
Building Services before commencement of any site and / or development works;
and

11. That following completion of the construction of the project, the
Chief Executive Officer be authorised to request the proponent to undertake
screen planting sufficient to screen the development from the Brand Highway.

At
the Council meeting held on 26 September 2013, a 2-year extension was granted
for the project;

“That Council:

1. pursuant to Clause 10.5.2 of the Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning
Scheme No.7 grant a two-year extension to the planning approval granted 24
November 2011 for the Joanna Plains Peaker Project on Lot 3907 Brand Highway,
Cataby resulting in the revised expiry date of 24 November 2015; and

2. that the applicant be advised the extension of time to the current
planning approval does not alter the conditions of approval nor afford a right
of appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal. The decision relates to the
period of time upon which construction work must have substantially commenced
as determined by the Council.

CARRIED 8 / 0”

The
proposal is to construct and operate a 106MW
“peaking” dual fuel (diesel and gas) open cycle gas turbine power station that
will efficiently supplement electricity generation during times of high electricity
demand in the Mid-West Region.
The project will be capable of being a standalone unit or being aligned with
other wind farm projects.
The project will be located on Lot 3907 being a site characterized by gently
undulating, cleared pasture lands.
No native vegetation or significant habitats will be disturbed as a result of
the development and construction will be carried out under best management
practices.

COMMENT
The Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning Scheme No.7
permits Council to grant extensions to planning approval. Clause 10.5.2. of the
Scheme states;
A written request may be made to the local government for an extension of the
term of planning approval at any time prior to the expiry of the approval
period in clause 10.5.1. (2 years) The applicant lodged an application before
the expiry of the permit being 24 November 2015.
In granting an extension it should be made clear to the proponent that the
Council’s decision does not provide an avenue to change any of the current
conditions of approval nor afford a right of appeal to the State Administrative
Tribunal.
The decision merely relates to the period of time upon which construction work
must have substantially commenced, generally interpreted as ‘slab on the
ground’, or in this instance could mean footings completed Lot 3907 is located
on a property in the Cataby area approximately 160km north of Perth and
approximately 21km west of the Dandaragan town site.
The subject land is commonly known as Joanna Plains. The Joanna Plains farm is
a 6950-hectare property comprising of four separate Certificates of Title.
The particular Certificate of Title affected by this application is commonly
referred to as “Marianas”. The proposed development site comprises of an area
of 1751 hectares, immediately west of the Brand Highway and is currently used
for the grazing of cattle.
This site was selected as the most suitable location because of the location of
required infrastructure.
The Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline is located 11km from the proposed
site, whilst the Parmelia gas pipeline is located less than 500m from the
proposed site. A 132kV power line held by Western Power did traverse the site
from south-east to north-west. A 330kV easement also traverses the site and
Western Power has upgraded the 132kV to 330kV as part of their Pinjar to
Eneabba transmission line project.
The site is currently used for grazing and was cleared some 20 to 30 years ago.
The Joanna Plains farm is located on land zoned “Rural” under the Shire of
Dandaragan Local Planning Scheme No.7. Land to the east of the site is also
zoned Rural however, land to the north and south is reserved for “Public
Purposes” and the land to the immediate west is reserved for “Conservation”.

The applicant advises that the following
components are proposed to be used in this project:

·2 x 60MW generators i.e.
operating capacity of 106MW;

·Control room;

·Fuel oil skid;

·Gas skid;

·18 metre exhaust stack;

·Maintenance / storage building;

·Water treatment building; and

·Fuel tanks.

It
is proposed that the plant is designed and intended to be run on a remote
basis. The units are capable of operating on dual fuel basis meaning the
turbines can function on various fuels including bio diesel, diesel or natural
gas.
The units are designed as a small modular configuration that is primarily
constructed offsite and prefabricated modules are transported to site and
basically bolted onto the concrete slab. Each turbine can operate either
independently or in sync with the other.
This allows the two turbines to be progressively brought online within a short
period to meet electricity demand. This means the Joanna Plains Project has the
capacity to efficiently operate to a minimum output of 15MW through to a
maximum output of 106MW.
The proposed substation will occupy 10% of the total area being approximately
4000 square metres and house the outdoor switch gear and a control room fitted
out with switch gear, protection, metering and communication equipment.
Access to the proposed site will be located along the northern boundary of the
Mariana’s paddock and is directly available from the Brand Highway via a new
road of approximately 1500 metres.
If necessitated, the land owner is agreeable to including the proposed access
drive within a dedicated easement.
The access road design and the construction will need to suit the sandy soils
with possible suitable construction material located about 10 kilometers away.
The proposed vehicle maneuvering area will be constructed to a suitable
standard to accommodate heavy ridged vehicles and will enable all vehicles to
enter and exit the site in forward gear after performing no more than a 3-point
turn.
This access is the subject of a submission from Main Roads Western Australia.

General temporary facilities required for construction
will include: Site sheds and offices; Ablution facilities; Crib room; Covered external area; Lay down areas; and Small car park.

Application for these temporary facilities
will be the subject of a separate application for planning approval. These
facilities will be removed following construction and all areas disturbed will
be rehabilitated. It is anticipated that the initial construction phase would
be completed within six months of onsite works commencing.

CONSULTATION
All those that made submissions in 2013 were
advised by letter of the proposed extension of planning approval and requested
to advise if there were any changes to their comments/advice. Responses have
been received from, Department of Mines and Petroleum, the Department of
Planning, Main Roads WA, all advising “no change” comments.

STATUTORY ENVIRONMENT Local Planning
Scheme No 7; Local Planning Strategy – Rural Land Use and Rural Settlement;

POLICY
IMPLICATIONS There are no policy implications
relevant to this item.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The applicant
has paid a sum of $3,751.10 for extension of the planning approval.

STRATEGIC
IMPLICATIONS Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning
Strategy – Rural Land Use and Rural Settlement

1. pursuant to Clause 10.5.2 of the Shire of Dandaragan Local Planning
Scheme No.7 grant a two-year extension to the planning approval granted 26
September 2013 for the Joanna Plains Peaker Project on Lot 3907 Brand Highway,
Cataby resulting in the revised expiry date of 18 December 2017; and

2. that the applicant be advised the extension of time to the current
planning approval does not alter the conditions of approval nor afford a right
of appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal. The decision relates to the
period of time upon which construction work must have substantially commenced
as determined by the Council.

Advice
Note: Council advise the applicant that a further
extension of the Planning Approval will not be supported at the expiry of this
approval in December 2017.